Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award

The Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award is a prestigious recognition in scouting, involving projects, workbook completion, and assessment by a Council Board of Review. Councils must establish their own policies for administering the award. Scouts recognized with a certificate and knot. The goal is to achieve consistency across BSA Councils. Adviser training is essential, and Councils must develop implementation policies. In case a Council does not have a Conservation Committee, alternative actions can be taken. The committee plays a crucial role in overseeing award administration, advising scouts, promoting the award, and educating stakeholders.

• Conservation
• Scouting
• Council
• Award
• Recognition

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1. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award 1

2. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award The Basics: The Distinguished Conservation Service Award is a Council approved award Councils should develop their own policies and procedures to administer and oversee the Award A Council Board of Review is required to assess every application by a Scout/Venturer/Sea Scout The workbook is required for each project and must be completed in its entirety by the Scout/Venturer/ Sea Scout The Scout/Venturer/ Sea Scout is recognized with a certificate and a knot. The Award Adviser and the Conservation Adviser are involved with the project throughout the proposal, planning, accomplishment, and reporting. 2

3. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award The goal of this presentation is to achieve consistency across the many BSA Councils. The benchmark documentation for the award is found at: https://www.scouting.org/outdoor-programs/conservation-and- environment/conservation-awards-and-recognitions/bsa-distinguished-conservation- service-award/ BSA has established Adviser training on Scouting U. The Adviser course should be completed by the Council Conservation Committee Chair, the Council Distinguished Conservation Service Award Coordinator (if specified) or the Council designated lead for overseeing the program. Each Council should develop Distinguished Conservation Service Award implementation policies and procedures 3

4. Council Conservation Committee If There is No Council Conservation Committee The Council Executive identifies the process and contacts for the Council Alternatives include: Assigning this responsibility to the Council Advancement & Recognition Committee Requesting assistance from an adjoining Council that has a Conservation Committee Taking action to establish a Council Conservation Committee 4

5. Council Conservation Committee Role of the Conservation Committee Oversight of Distinguished Conservation Service Award administration within the Council Assist with identification of conservation advisers to advise Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts Promotion of the Award Development of Council specific resources to assist project accomplishment Education of Scouts, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Scouters and Parents on the requirements Rules of engagement for projects on BSA properties and camps Identification of Advisers and assisting them in gaining the required training to be a Distinguished Conservation Service Award Adviser 5

6. Council Conservation Committee Role of the Conservation Committee Determine, and publish, Council policies and procedures for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award program Coordinate with the Council Property Committee opportunities for Distinguished Conservation Service Award projects on BSA property Assist Scouts/Venturers/ Sea Scouts with guidance on the Trail to Distinguished Conservation Service Award approval & award Projects conducted on council properties must be consistent with the Camp Conservation Plan Develop procedures to identify and train Advisers Develop resources to assist Scouts/Venturers/Sea Scouts with their projects Develop procedures to identify conservation advisers Coordinate Scouting activities with identified land managers and project beneficiaries 6

7. Council Conservation Committee Role of the Conservation Committee Assist the Scout/Venture/Sea Scout in organizing their project delivery team Award Adviser Conservation Adviser Beneficiary and/or land manager Unit Leader Assist with guidance and support for project planning Recommend to the Council Executive, the approval of the Candidate being awarded the Distinguished Conservation Service Award Conduct project proposal review and approval (note this is required prior to beginning field work) Gain National BSA coordination on the Council approved award Conduct Distinguished Conservation Service Award Boards of Review 7

8. Council Conservation Committee Implementing Policies and Procedures Ideally these policies and procedures should be posted on the Council website. Points of contact Timelines for project proposal review and accomplishment of Boards of Review Board of Review membership Process for submitting project proposals for review and approval Development of project support resources Process for supporting project planning Methods to access Advisers and conservation advisers Process for submitting the application and request for a Board of Review Other items and issues of interest within the Council 8

9. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Toolbox The following documents are provided to assist Councils with the administration of the Distinguished Conservation Service Award and development of Council policies and procedures: Project Process Handout Comparison Eagle to DCSA Project Proposal Evaluation Project Plan Guide Board of Review Documents Scouts BSA Venturers and Sea Scouts Executive Summary Template 9

10. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process The Basics The Candidate must use the current Workbook The Candidate accomplishes two projects Project proposal evaluation may be sequential The Board of Review will review both project workbooks, along with the award application The Scout accomplishes merit badges Venturer s and Sea Scouts accomplishes respective additional requirements Process is similar to the Eagle Scout project proposal approval and Board of Review process Adherence and demonstrated understanding/application of the Guide to Safe Scouting is a must! 10

11. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process The Candidate visits the Council Conservation Committee several times A visit for each project proposal review and approval The project and final application evaluation is: Based on current criteria Uses evaluation checklist for the project proposal, project plan and the final application Feedback To the Candidate is essential To the Adviser and the Conservation Adviser is vital Other potential visits may be to confer with the Adviser with review of the project plan Final visit is the Distinguished Conservation Service Award Board of Review 11

12. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Project proposal the first 15 pages of the workbook Project Definition Identify the project delivery team Natural Resource Issue Research & Alternative solution identification leading to the selected alternative Assessing Viability of Proposed Solution Initial Planning Proposed budget Education & Publicity Components Viability of Proposed Schedule A project proposal evaluation guide is available for adoption by Councils 12

13. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Initial Visit proposal approval Workbook Proposal the Candidate provides the project proposal, in accordance with Council policies, to the Council office, who in-turn sends the project proposal section to the designated Council Distinguished Conservation Service Award Coordinator Council Conservation Committee review of project proposal may be by: An informal discussion either in-person or by a virtual means Review of the submitted documentation The Council Conservation Committee (using Project Proposal Evaluation) will determine if the proposal has met established criteria If it does not, the project proposal will be returned to the Candidate with specific feedback and a request for a plan and schedule for the proposal resubmission. If the project proposal is acceptable, the Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Coordinator sign the project proposal and return it to the Candidate according to established council procedures. 13

14. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Visit Two planning approval Depending on Council policy, this review may just be with the Distinguished Conservation Service Award adviser and the conservation adviser. It may not involve the Council Conservation Committee The Candidate develops the project plan, assisted where appropriate by the Conservation Adviser and the Award Adviser. The Conservation Adviser and Award Adviser (using the Project Plan Evaluation) will determine if the project continues to meet the goals, objectives, commitments made in the approved project proposal The Conservation Adviser and Award Adviser will explicitly send their approval of the Project plan to the Scout/Venturer/Sea Scout with any comments. 14

15. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Visit Three Board of Review Documentation The Candidate will deliver the final Distinguished Conservation Service Award application package to the Council as prescribed by Council procedures. The final award package will include Workbook for project 1, to include beneficiary endorsement and appropriate supporting documentation (photos, maps, news articles, etc) Workbook for project 2, to include beneficiary endorsement and appropriate supporting documentation (photos, maps, news articles, etc) Award Application Executive Summary for each project The Award application package may be provided (electronically or physical copy) to each Board member several days prior to the Board of Review 15

16. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Visit Three Board of Review (continued) Prior to the Board of Review, members will review the application package using the appropriate Board of Review checklist The Board of Review Procedures are similar to those for an Eagle Board of Review as established in the BSA Guide to Advancement Board of Review Membership is the Council Conservation Committee Chair (or designee), and two to five additional members. Members may come from the Council Conservation Committee, other Council Scouters, the Unit, or others as determined by Council policies and procedures One or more members of the Board of Review should have completed the Scouting U courses to be nationally trained Advisers. 16

17. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Visit Three (continued) The Board of Review is conducted according to Council policies and procedures. The Board of Review may be in-person or via a virtual meeting platform. The virtual option may be especially useful if geographic distances would cause significant travel, or other factors such as adverse weather. Board of Review Process Segment One: Duration is +/- 45 minutes The Scout/Venturer/Sea Scout presents to the Committee their two projects (in a manner proscribed by the Council) The Committee Members asks questions of the Candidate (suggested questions are provided in the Evaluation Guides). 17

18. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process Board of Review Process The Board takes a recess for discussion (Segment Two) The Candidate is excused from the discussion The Board reviews their evaluation of the Workbook and the presentation by the Candidate The Board of Review reconvenes with the Scout/Venturer/Sea Scout (Segment Three) Distinguished Conservation Service Award Approved Board Chair advises the Candidate on next steps. These include forwarding to the Council Executive for approval, coordination with National BSA, and Council award procedures. Distinguished Conservation Service Award Denied The Board Chair advises the Candidate on the reasons why, providing specific courses of action to meet or exceed the stated criteria to the Candidate. A follow-up meeting may be required with the Candidate, their Award Adviser, and their Conservation Adviser. A plan and schedule is developed and agreed to for the proposal resubmission 18

19. Council Conservation Committee Distinguished Conservation Service Award Process The Council, Award Coordinator will work with the Council marketing team to publish the Candidate s accomplishment: Council Website/Social Media Council newsletters or other publications National BSA publications such as Bryan on Scouting, Scout Life, etc. Local media (newspaper, radio stations, and TV stations) Council Award Coordinator will work with Council Staff to gain Award approval by: Council Executive Submittal to BSA national Headquarters (Knot and Certificate) Council Award Coordinator will make arrangement for presentation of the Award A Council Event Council Eagle Award Court of Honor Council Annual Dinner The Council Conservation Committee Award Coordinator will maintain the Award within Council records as prescribed by the Council Distinguished Conservation Service Award policies and procedures. An event of significance to the Candidate with presentation by the Council Conservation Committee Chair or designee District Award Presentation venue Unit Award venue (Court of Honor) 19

20. Questions? Contact Your Council Conservation Committee Chair or Council Designated Lead for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award 20